I just got back from a great event at MCDC Headquarters. Chairman Joe Morelle made the announcement this afternoon that MCDC is endorsing Jon Powers for Congress in NY-26. At one point, Channel 10’s Ray Levato grilled Powers about his “mulligan” statement about Bellavia’s “Tiger Woods” statement. More on that in a second. First, the notes.

Morelle praised Powers as an extraordinary leader in civilian and military life and stated he would bring “great change to Washington.” He said Powers is a man of “great poise” and soon after Powers demonstrated just such poise.

Powers thanked everyone, saying he was honored for the help they have given him.

Then Channel 10’s Ray Levato first asked Powers if he had made the Tiger Woods statement. He seems to have been the only one in the room who didn’t know it was Bellavia who made the statement. At one point, someone reminded him and then Powers did so as well. Then Levato asked Powers if by giving Bellavia a “mulligan” if he (Powers) was trying to inject race into the contest. The room fell silent. No one could understand what Levato meant unless he was implying that somehow the Scottish should be offended.

Levato continued to grill Powers, asking him if he could speak about what Bellavia possibly meant, despite his (Levato’s) obvious misunderstanding of the issue. Powers then took control of the moment:

I’d like David [Bellavia] to explain. I’m not going to guess what’s in someone else’s mind. This is a once-in-a-generation election that’s going on. Attacks like that aren’t going to be the way to do it.

Powers demonstrated such cool under pressure. It really highlighted his ability to lead, refusing to be baited and keeping his focus on the issues that matter to voters.

Earlier someone asked Powers who was his biggest opponent and he said:

It doesn’t matter who…we’re having the conversation no one else is having. We’re in people’s homes talking about jobs, healthcare…conversation is why we’re different.

When asked if Reynolds’ dropping out of the race was why he began to run, Powers said “No, I’ve been running since June.”

When asked why he’s running, Powers said:

The America I grew up in no longer exists in Washington.

Many thanks to sconsetmonkey for the photos.